Liverpool vs. Lille: 10 key things to know ahead of Champions League clash - Liverpool FC

Liverpool host Lille within the Champions League as they give the impression of being to keep up their excellent report within the competitors this season.

Liverpool vs. Lille

Champions League (7) | Anfield
January 21, 2025 | 8pm (GMT)

Whereas there’s barely extra driving on this recreation for Lille than Liverpool, the Reds could have their sights set on changing into the primary crew to win the Champions League‘s new league section.

There’s additionally the matter of momentum, with Arne Slot‘s aspect seeking to get again into type after a run of 1 win in 4 previous to beating Brentford.

1. Champions League soccer in January

Sure, as you understand since you’re studying this, Liverpool are taking part in European soccer in January!

With the reformatting of the Champions League has come two further video games to be performed in a month that was beforehand reserved for home soccer.

It’s a unusual feeling to be taking part in group-stage soccer – properly, league-phase soccer – after Christmas, however fortunately Liverpool have completed the legwork to make sure their first two European video games of 2025 are with out an excessive amount of stress.

2. What Liverpool want

As talked about, Liverpool can go into their remaining league section matches, at dwelling to Lille and away at PSV, with comparatively little stress.

The Reds aren’t but mathematically protected from having to play within the further play-off spherical, however it could solely take some extent from both remaining recreation to seal their top-eight spot.

To win the league section and develop into the primary seed for the knockout levels, the Reds would wish to win one and draw one at least.

3. Group information

Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez are Liverpool’s two absentees for this recreation.

Slot offered an replace on the gamers’ health, saying: “Possibly Jota a bit sooner than Joe, and each of them are anticipated to be again with us in weeks, not in months.”

Ibrahima Konate needs to be match to play however has admitted that he’s not 100%.

“I attempt to come again actually 100% however I’m not as a result of I rushed my comeback with my knee, however I’ve completed this for my crew,” the Frenchman defined.

“I can die for this crew then, it’s wonderful. My knee will come again actually 100% very quickly, it’s wonderful. I nonetheless have ache typically, however I play with painkillers and it’s sufficient for me to play.”

4. Beginning XI prediction

Given the character of Konate’s harm, Slot might need to hold him out of matches he doesn’t view as completely essential.

For that motive, Jarell Quansah may begin at Anfield alongside Virgil van Dijk. Darwin Nunez is in with a shout of taking part in over Luis Diaz via the center, whereas Wataru Endo might are available for Ryan Gravenberch.

Regardless of suggesting these modifications, it stays possible that we see a powerful crew from Slot as he goals to construct on Saturday’s win in west London.

Predicted XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez

5. Lille’s unbeaten streak

Whereas Liverpool supporters ought to count on a win from this recreation, the crew can’t be complacent given the opposition they’re developing in opposition to.

Since shedding 2-0 to Sporting CP on matchday one of many Champions League, Lille are unbeaten in 21 matches throughout all competitions.

Having set a membership report for video games with out defeat, they presently sit third in Ligue 1 with 32 factors from 18 video games.

Below supervisor Bruno Genesio, the French outfit have scored in all however considered one of their final 16 outings in all competitions, however they’ve saved solely two clear sheets of their final 10.

Amongst their gamers to be careful for are Canada’s report goalscorer, Jonathan David, ex-PSG man Thomas Meunier and former Newcastle attacking midfielder Remy Cabella.

6. We have now met earlier than

Liverpool have solely met Lille for one earlier tie, the Reds triumphing 3-1 on combination within the Europa League Spherical of 16.

In March 2010, Rafa Benitez’s Reds misplaced 1-0 away with the one purpose coming from Eden Hazard, the primary of seven he would rating in opposition to Liverpool in his profession.

Nonetheless, due to a penalty from Steven Gerrard and a Fernando Torres brace, they gained the second leg 3-0 to progress.

In addition to Hazard, Yohan Cabaye and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have been additionally within the Lille crew.

7. Do you know?

Ought to Liverpool go 36 minutes into this recreation with out Lille scoring, the Reds will set a brand new membership report for many minutes with out conceding a purpose in Europe, beating the 572 set underneath Benitez within the 2005/06 version of the competitors.

A crowd of 44,913 or extra will see Liverpool’s complete attendance attain 5 million for European Cup/Champions League matches at Anfield.

In Liverpool’s 16 clashes in opposition to French groups at Anfield, the Reds have gained 13, drawn one and misplaced two – they have been overwhelmed by Marseille in 2007 and Lyon in 2009.

8. Ibrahima Konate reveals Liverpool contract supply

Talking forward of the match, Konate confirmed that Liverpool have supplied him a brand new contract however refused so as to add if he was near signing, saying: “That’s one other dialog!”

Studies in France over the past 12 months claimed Liverpool had opened talks over a brand new contract, considered one of many Richard Hughes and Co. must kind with 15 expiring between this summer time and 2027.

The centre-back’s present deal expires in 2026. Ought to Konate obtain a yellow card in opposition to Lille, he would miss the following Champions League match in opposition to PSV resulting from suspension.